www.rdmag.com June 2014 R&DMagazine 13
with research labs and a secure loading dock.

The research floor is sandwiched between two
interstitial mechanical floors that provide access
to maintain and service equipment without violating biocontainment barriers.

The lab planning concept is a simple but effec-tive approach. “We really wanted the floorplan tobe the most economical footprint possible withno wasted space,” says Sullivan. “So, we came upwith a double-loaded corridor concept.”A central “spine” was used to organize thefunctional elements on either side. This allowedfor spaces where people work, to be flanked to theoutside, where despite their location in a BSL- 3restricted biocontainment zone, they have accessto natural light. The large glazed openings at bothends of the spine corridor allow natural light deepinto the facility, as well as visual oversight of thecontained corridor from the headhouse zone.

This straightforward approach provides for
the greatest efficiency in operations, such as
cage movement and washing, as well as the most
efficient distribution of mechanical systems.
The center spine also allows for quick visual
examinations of the research and animal holding spaces from the corridor without physically
entering each research space.

Finally, the single corridor center spine allows
for maximum net-to-gross ratio efficiency, as it
eliminates two separate corridors for circulation.

“This super-efficient net-to-gross floorplate is
another feature that allowed us to take advantage
and develop an architectural expression where,
although it’s a simple floorplan, it allows us to
have a fairly expressive entrance and changing
roof form on the exterior,” says Sullivan.

To bring as much natural light into the facility
as possible without compromising the research
requirements, the team used a double-walled
window system. Each of the procedure rooms
allows natural light in and views out of the
high-containment zone, while maintaining a
gas-tight sealed environment.

Mechanical systems breakdown

With the technical complexity of a high-contain-ment lab, the ability to access mechanical systemsto maintain valves, controls, shut-offs and replacefilters is critical to its functional success. In orderto enter the biocontainment environment, spe-cialized training and personal-protective equip-ment is required. Furthermore, in a select agentfacility, access to spaces that contain select agentsrequire federal government background checks,The mechanical systems are bisected into twoareas, above and below the lab floor. Wet systemsare located on the basement level to minimizestructural support and transfer load and vibra-tion most effectively. Additionally, this allows allwaste piping to be gravity drained, an importantfactor in biosafety where pressurized piping out-side of containment is undesirable. As the wet-side systems will eventually require replacement,large overhead coiling doors were provided toexpedite this process.

Above the lab zone, air-side systems are located
for intake, filtration and exhaust of the labs. Biocontainment facilities are negatively pressurized
environments, relying on single-pass air to meet
this need. To facilitate and identify spaces below
and their partition locations and to more easily
accommodate future modifications, all of the
rooms are clearly identified in the high-performance flooring material. Every opening of the
flooring in the penthouse mechanical area is
curbed and sealed to prevent leakage at this level
and the biocontainment zone.

A sustainable surprise

Biocontainment and sustainability don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. Typically, these are some
of the least energy-efficient building types due to
single-pass 100% outside air systems and high air
change rates. However, for PSU sustainability was
of utmost importance, according to Sullivan.

“I’ve worked with the university for almost
14 years. So we have a very long relationship in
working together,” says Sullivan. “And they are
pretty passionate about responsible sustainably
designed buildings.”
In the beginning the team thought it might
be a “crazy” idea for a BSL- 3 standalone facility
to achieve LEED certification, but they worked
very hard to achieve this goal. Through a determined focus on energy-efficient approaches
across the building and its systems, the team
found they were actually tracking toward LEED
Gold certification.

According to Sullivan, the project was able toreceive all 10 LEED points for energy reduction.It also meets the AIA 2030 challenge for energyreduction in a typical lab building, which is a63% reduction in energy usage from a typicalbiology lab building in its climate. “This 63%reduction in energy is actually equivalent to theenergy used by 49 homes in the northeast,” saysSullivan. “So, it’s a lot of energy that we were ableto save by drilling down on the optimization ofthe mechanical systems.”The building also has a high-performanceenvelope utilizing triple glazing, sunshading, isthermally broken and is highly insulated withlimited glazing.

“We are also using the roof to provide exteriorshading in all the glazed areas,” says Sullivan. “Allthe windows are triple glazed, which creates asuper-insulated envelope. The super insulationon the envelope was a good practice for a BSL- 3select agent facility as we wanted a tight enve-lope. This highly insulated tight envelope wasnot thermally broken, so no moisture, humidityor cold air can get into the facility.”The building reduced the lighting power den-sity by 25% compared to a code building, andhas achieved daylighting for at least 75% of theregularly occupied areas. Both the reduction inenergy use and lighting power density meet the

AIA 2030 commitment targets in these areas.“I think that on some level you can look atsome of the restrictive criteria of a BSL- 3 or selectagent type of space and treat it as an obstacle oras an opportunity,” says Sullivan. “In this case, welooked at the program and what the real oppor-tunities were in terms of making it a better envi-ronment, but at the same time not compromisingthe science in any way. In the end, we achieved asolution that excited the client and was a pleasantplace to work for researchers in the facility.”—Lindsay HockABSL- 3 procedure room with double-walledview window.